The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has recently, in Abuja, addressed Stakeholders in Nigeria Regional Development on effective Coordination of strategies that would advance the implementation of the new National Development plan.
Agba gave this charge while declaring open the Regional Development Coordinating Summit aimed at creating synergy and strengthening effective coordination in the course of advancing regional growth and development in Nigeria.
Speaking, Agba said that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, was a National Focal Point for formulation and Coordination of National Policies, programs and projects in line with National Development Priorities.
The Ministry was also charged with the responsibilities of mapping out implementation strategies for prioritized government projects and programmes as contained in annual plans, budget, medium and long term plans, at various levels of government.
The above mandate, the Minister explained, therefore placed the Ministry with key responsibility of coordinating the activities of the Regional Development Sector within the Environment and Regional Division of the Social Development Department of the Ministry.
Agba noted that Regional Development was the wide-ranging, multi-level activities designed to promote wellbeing and prosperity in different regions. He added that in regional development, the goals and measures of different countries and administrative branches were examined together, both from national and regional perspectives.
The Minister however reiterated that Nigerian Government’s Regional Development decision serves as it’s common development strategy for the approved National Development Plan 2021-2025 and the Nigerian agenda 2050 that would soon be launched by the Government.
The newly approved National Development Plan 2021-2025, provides a blueprint that chats a clear path to economic prosperity in Nigeria, Agba emphasized.
The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba (c) flanked by stakeholders at the Coordinating meeting on Regional Development, held recently, in Abuja.
Speaking earlier, at the summit, the Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olushola Idowu, who was represented by the Director, Department of Social Development of the Ministry Dr. Sanjo Faniran, stated that the approved National Development plan took due cognizance of the relevance of regional development which prompted the need for the meeting.
She expressed optimism that the outcome of the summit would reposition stakeholders appropriately to come out with clear road map on how Nigeria could take full potentials as contained in the MTNDP 2021-2025 and come up with strategies that would actualize the implementation of policies, programs and projects that would stimulate overall growth of the economy and keep the dynamics of regional growth and development in the right trajectory.
Imaobong UDOH
for: D/Information (BNP)
